The Greens are renewing calls to end the use of drug detection dogs and routine strip searches in NSW following the release of a report today revealing more than 80,000 people were strip searched over a decade from 2014-2023, with drugs being found in just 13.5% of those searched.
The review, The Use of Strip Searches and Drug Dogs in NSW, was produced by Harm Reduction Australia and Redfern Legal Centre using data obtained by Greens MP Cate Faehrmann through the NSW Parliament.
"This data confirms what we've known for years. NSW Police are routinely subjecting people to traumatising, invasive strip searches based on the unreliable noses of drug dogs, and in the vast majority of cases, they find nothing," said Cate Faehrmann, Greens MP and drug law reform spokesperson.
"Most strip searches are being conducted out of suspicion of minor drug possession. You have to ask why such a huge amount of police and court resources is still being spent despite the government putting in place a drug diversion scheme.
"Of the more than 80,000 people who were forced to remove their clothes, including children as young as ten, 71,800 had no drugs on them. That's nearly nine out of ten. If that doesn't scream abuse of power, I don't know what does."
"In cases where people were strip searched following a detection by a drug dog, the dog got it wrong 60 percent of the time.
"The Minns Government continues to defend the use of these tactics, including on the false premise that it's about stopping supply. Yet just 1.4 percent of the 82,471 strip searches led to a conviction for drug supply."
The report also found that First Nations people were significantly overrepresented in strip search data, with regional towns like Dubbo and city stations like Redfern disproportionately targeted.
"This is a regime that punishes young people, First Nations people, and festival-goers, all under the guise of drug enforcement. But it's got nothing to do with safety and everything to do with intimidation and control," said Ms Faehrmann.
"I urge the Premier and Police Minister to prioritise reducing drug harm and saving lives. Our global reputation has taken a battering with reports of international visitors wanting to enjoy a night out or attend a music festival also subjected to strip searches. No other country does this to this extent.
"It's beyond ridiculous. Strip searches on the suspicion of minor drug possession and on those under 18 must end and drug dogs should be banned from festivals, venues and public spaces," said Cate Faehrmann.
